Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆Psalm 130 🔆 Romans 8:6-11 🔆Ezekiel 37:1-14
S E R M O N
🔆“Hope When Hope Runs Dry ” – The Rev. Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Toccata in E minor BWV 914: Un poco allegro, Adagio, J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
INTROIT … God to Enfold You, John Bell (b. 1949)
HYMN … Out of the Depths
ANTHEM … Dry Bones, Words & Music by James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938), & J. Rosamund Johnson (1873-1954), Arr. Ty Kroll (living)
HYMN … Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
OFFERTORY … Prelude, Based on Prelude in C minor by Frederic Chopin (1810-1849), Arr. Patrick M. Liebergen (1949-2020)
HYMN … Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song
POSTLUDE … Double Violin Concerto BWV 1043: II. Largo, ma non tanto, J.S. Bach, Arr. Luigi Rago (b. 1987)
Join us for Coffee Hour immediately after the service.
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A N N O U N C E M E N T S – – – – – – –
Lenten Meditation
Join us on the Sunday, March 22 at 11:30am in the Fireside Room for a time of Lenten Meditation. We will follow the themes in the book, Wondrous Encounters by Richard Rohr, but reading the book is not necessary. We will combine a brief reading and reflection on the scripture passages from the week with a suggested meditation, and a time of silent meditation. We have a few books available for purchase for $8.99. You may also take a book for free or order it from other channels. If you have any questions, please contact intern Elizabeth Conway.
Fair Trade Coffee & Chocolate Sales on March 22
Since 2011, St. John’s members have purchased tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of organic, fair-trade coffee, tea, and chocolate, to support small-scale farmers across the world. This is not a fundraiser for the church; SJ offers these products at the lowest prices possible to the church community — the more frequently we choose these products, the greater our participation in a truly just economic system. On Sunday, September 7, during coffee hour on the patio (or in the narthex if it’s raining), there will an assortment of products to select from — come take a look! – Bill Herwood
SJ Good Friday: Tenebrae and Spirituals on April 3 in the Sanctuary
Tenebrae is the Latin word for “shadows” or “darkness.” A tenebrae service recounts Jesus’ arrest, mock trial, and crucifixion, and typically is observed on Good Friday. A quiet service of meditation, Tenebrae begins in candlelight. As each reading concludes, a candle is extinguished, until complete darkness descends upon the congregation. At St. John’s, we sing African American spirituals between readings. The poignant and rich texts and tunes of the spirituals accentuate the agony of the cross. At the conclusion of the service, the congregation departs in silence.
The Good Friday Service is on Friday, April 3 at 7:30pm in the Sanctuary. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early, to have a few minutes to sit quietly before the service begins. Bring a friend, colleague, or family member.
QR Code for Giving Money to St. John’s
One can now donate via PayPal for weekly giving and special events. Simply scan the PayPal QR Code in our bulletin or church lobby. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for your continued support.
Seeking a new Camp Elwood director
Camp Elmwood is in search of a new Camp Director for the summer of 2026 (and possibly for subsequent summers!). In partnership with Manju Noone, this leader helps deliver a great camper experience and supervises volunteers and staff. The role is time-limited (not year-round). The two Camp weeks are very busy, full-time weeks, and the Director participates in about 35 hours of prep/cleanup. This is perfect summer work for a young adult or a newly graduated college student, or an aspiring leader in education, recreation, or youth development. The Director must be 21 years old or older (per state law), and most work is on-site in Berkeley, California. Ideal candidates are passionate about and experienced with camp or youth programming. Do you know someone? Can you help spread the word? Reach out to Manju@stjohnsberkeley.org for more details and the full job description, or send candidates directly to her.
A prayer for the Fifth Sunday in Lent
Christ our Savior, you call us by name, leading us from death into eternal life. Awaken and unbind us by your Word, so that we may live and grow in faith, sharing your saving love with others; for you are the resurrection and the life.
John 9:1-42 To read all Lent prayers, please click on Presbyterian USA page.
No Kings March Protest on March 28
Out Mission and Justice Commission is encouraging the members and friends of St. John’s to participate in the “No Kings” March on Saturday, March 28 from Noon to 2:30pm. Meet in the SJ garage at 11:15 to carpool to Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland for the march to Lake Merrit amphitheater. Make signs beforehand to carry: “No Thrones” ‘No Crowns” “No Kings!” The organizers have asked participants to wear YELLOW” – the theme color …. nokings.org/
Or take BART to Frank Ogawa/ Oscar Grant Plaza in downtown Oakland. Look for St. John’s fellowship near the red “Faith” sign on 14th Street. The Faith delegations are to be the first protest group (see the map below). We will start marching at 1pm from the Plaza to Lake Merritt Amphitheatre; bordering Lake Merritt Blvd, between 12st Street and 1st Avenue. For more information, contact the Rev. Sally Juarez.
Fifth Sunday in Lent
By Jane Holtzclaw, The Presbyterian Outlook magazine
When I retired from the Air Force, I had one more year of seminary and no clear direction about what would come next. I was unsettled. Where was God leading me? A pastor friend suggested this liminal space could be therapeutic — a time to focus and listen. Psalm 130 is written by a psalmist experiencing a similar liminal space. Although we don’t know the particulars of the situation, we can sense the distress from the opening verse: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.” In biblical times, “the depths” often referred to the chaotic depths of the sea, a place where it was believed evil reigned. The psalmist is in deep distress, perhaps even fearing death, and cries out for God’s help and forgiveness.
Psalm 130’s plea for help is followed by words of gratitude and thanksgiving. The writer acknowledges God’s power to forgive, which leads to hope (vv. 3–4). The focus then shifts to patience. The psalmist trusts that the Lord is present and will eventually respond (v. 5). Finally, the psalmist speaks to all of Israel, reminding the people that redemption comes through God’s steadfast love. Psalm 130 employs parallelism and repetition for emphasis. The word “wait” appears three times in verses 5–6. It is not just the psalmist’s intellectual self that waits for the Lord’s response. Rather, it is the writer’s very soul that waits.
To continue articles, click here for the Presbyterian Outlook Magazine